South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry has announced that
products produced by Israeli companies in Judea and Samaria (Shomron)
cannot be labeled as products of Israel. Minister Rob Davies issued
an announcement warning merchants “not to incorrectly label products
that originate from the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) as
products of Israel.”

The announcement follows a year-long campaign by pro-Palestinian
Authority groups.

Denmark is planning a similar step, and will mark all products from
Judea and Samaria with a special sticker. A minister explained the
policy aims to give customers “full information” regarding products’
origins.

While pro-PA groups fight to mark Judea and Samaria-produced products
in an attempt to pressure Israel, the step is likely to hurt PA
residents more than it hurts Israeli employers. Israel’s factories in
Judea and Samaria employ a total of over 10,000 PA Arabs, doing much
to reduce the PA’s high rate of unemployment.

Yesha (Judea and Samaria) Council head Danny Dayan said in
response, “It was not at all surprising that the one making this
decision, South African Industry and Trade Minister Rob Davies, is
Jewish. Once again it is proven that Jews from the extreme left are
the proud leaders of the anti-Israel propaganda campaign.”

Dayan mentioned J Street and Richard Goldstone as others proving the
same theory. “We will overcome,” he concluded.